Third session of Let’s Talk Faith has taken place at Deepagam Conference Room on March 03, 2024 (Sunday) at Deepagam, Don Bosco Catechetical Center, Kilpauk-Chennai. Twenty-six children from Basin Bridge Parish (Sagaya Matha Church) and eleven adults (parents) were present for this session that focused on Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation). Fr. Arulanandam (Pope John’s Garden, Madhavaram) was the moderator for this Children Forum. Catechism children who haven’t received Holy Communion too were participating in the forum.

Keeping-up with the forum’s spirit, Fr. Jesudoss, Director-Deepagam welcomed everyone present for the Open Talk and prepared the children for active participation in it. Fr. Arulanandam SDB introduced the Sacraments of Initiation as moments of welcoming a person into the Christian community on par with the human development and maturity. Lutheran Pastor Ravindran commenced the Forum with his puppetry show based on Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.” The brief performance set the tone for children discussion during the first session.

Children were fully participative with their questions and clarifications, of which, adults couldn’t respond, parentally. Yet, the forum was a true indicator of the faith formation in parishes of Salesian presences. Nine children were actively participative and engaged Fr. Moderator with profound questions in a simplest way possible, fitting to the mind of children.

Fr. Arulanandam gave catechetical instructions for children on Sacraments of Initiations; Baptism is to cleanse us from the original sin transmitted from our first parents. Through Holy Communion, God lives in us – hence, we live free from bondage to sin. Jesus nourishes our soul with His body and blood in the sacred sign of bread and wine. By Sacrament of Confirmation, one receives the Holy Spirit who strengthens faith to witness Jesus Christ by bestowing seven-fold gifts namely, Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of God. 

The moderator taught the children thus: ‘the basic necessities of Christian life are, Word of God (Bible), Eucharist and the Church.’ Sacraments of Initiation takes away our sins and makes us acceptable to God the Father as His children. 

The following questions were posed by catechism children:

1. Why only Bishop administers sacrament of Confirmation?

• Because, a Bishop is the priest. In case of rectification, a priest can administer the sacrament.

2. Why baptism by immersion is not given for the baptismal candidates in Catholic Church like denominational churches who advocates adult baptism only?

• Water is a sacred sign for cleaning. Infant baptism is to cleanse us from original sin.

3. Why Jesus’ didn’t receive baptism in his childhood days?

• Jesus as a child, being first-born, was presented in the temple according to the Jewish tradition. And, Baptism (of John the Baptism) wasn’t instituted in Jesus’ childhood.

4. What are the responsibilities of God-Parents after Baptism?

• To help the child to grow in faith and wisdom along with its parents. To guide the child in life of faith.

5. Why candidate is anointed with Chrism oil?

• Chrism oil is also a sacred sign like water, candle, and white robe used in Baptism. External signs point to interior realities. Baptism and Confirmation is about incoming of the Holy Spirit. It signifies rebirth, in that sacrament changes the baptismal candidate from the state of sin to grace.

6. Why Eucharist is not given in both the species (bread and wine)?

• For practical reasons, only Eucharistic bread is given for the faithful. However, the faithful partake sacramentally in the Eucharist, in both the species.

7. How a child who received confirmation could, witness by action and share the gospel?

• Living one’s life according to the promptings of the spirit.

8. What IHS signifies in the Eucharistic bread?

• IHS is the symbolic representation of the name of Jesus Christ.

9. Why we need to pray after the reception of Holy Communion?

• Prayer moment (post-communion) is to talk with God and give reverence to God who has entered our heart.

10. Why seek peace before receiving Holy Communion?

• Joy and holiness becomes a reality while being in peace with others as a preparation for receiving Holy Communion.

11. Why the symbol of the Holy Spirit is dove; but not human figures?

• Actually, there is no image for God. Jesus Christ took the form of humanness and became like us.

12. Why can’t we confess directly to God without the medium of priest?

• At the confessional, priest is in the role of Jesus.

13. Can lay people administer baptism?

• In moments of grave danger to life, a lay person can administer the sacrament of baptism.

14. God was communicating with people before; now it is not. Why?

• God is constantly in communication with us. But we aren’t listening; we are spending most of our time for TV and SmartPhone.

15. Is Blessed Virgin Mary, God? Can we worship Mary?

• No. We worship God. We bequeath our devotion for saints and Blessed Virgin Mary.

16. What happens in daily mass?

• Jesus comes to us through His self-giving love. Mary and Saints are present during the Holy Mass. In fuller participation in the Holy Mass, God-human relationship is restored through covenantal promises. We listen to God.

17. Why Devil who make sin happen is still present in the world (Is it because we must love our enemies including the devil?)

• To test us. Yet, God doesn’t test us.

18. Why we ring the bell during the time of Consecration?

• To alert the community in the moment of Consecration.

19. Why vestment for the mass during the con-celebration differs? And priests’ habit (white or black) in India and West is different?

• Vestments signifies liturgical season. Difference in priest’s habit is because of climatic condition (hot and cold climate).

Concluding the children forum Fr. Arulanandam said, “Parents must guide your children in spiritual wisdom”. To the children, he encouraged thus: “The participation in the Eucharistic celebration grows your faith.”

Fr. Jesudoss, Deepagam Director gave the vote of thanks and participants (children and parents) took group photo. The session lasted for three-hours in the morning from 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM, followed by fellowship meal.